KUALA LUMPUR: The Employees Provident Fund’s (EPF) investment income surged 48% to RM57.5bil in the first half of 2026 (1H26), up from RM38.92bil a year earlier.
In a statement, the retirement fund said the figure for 1H26 included unrealised mark-to-market gains and losses on securities, mainly due to foreign exchange fluctuations.
It added that, consistent with previous years, such unrealised gains and losses are not distributable as dividends.
Total investment income for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026 (2Q26) was RM29.77bil, up 44% from RM20.61bil in the same quarter last year.
Chief executive officer Ahmad Zulqarnain Onn said the fund capitalised on strong global equity markets while maintaining a disciplined, long-term investment approach.
He said EPF continued to front-load income in the second quarter, as market and geopolitical risks remained elevated.
“While equity markets have supported performance in the first half of the year, members should temper expectations as such market opportunities may not repeat itself in the second half of the year.
“Our focus remains on delivering sustainable long-term returns, backed by a resilient portfolio,” he added.
Equities remained the largest contributor to EPF's investment income in 2Q26, generating RM20.94bil, up 52% from RM13.77bil a year earlier.
The asset class accounted for 70% of total investment income during the quarter, benefiting from the recovery in global equity markets, easing concerns over energy prices and continued confidence in the artificial intelligence investment cycle.
Fixed-income instruments contributed RM6.91bil, accounting for 23% of quarterly investment income, while real estate and infrastructure generated RM1.30bil. Money market instruments contributed RM620mil.
As at end-June, EPF's total investment assets stood at RM1.54 trillion, of which 39% was invested overseas.
International investments generated RM19.29bil during the second quarter, accounting for 65% of total investment income.
Investment income attributable to Simpanan Konvensional stood at RM24.16bil in 2Q26, while Simpanan Shariah generated RM5.61bil.
Meanwhile, EPF's membership continued to expand, with 441,846 new members registered during 1H26, up 52.9% from 288,938 in the corresponding period last year.
Total membership rose 12.6% to nearly 18.5 million, while active membership increased 21.9% to 10.95 million.
The number of active employers increased 4.1% to 645,207 as at June, while 37,265 new employers were registered during the first half.
EPF said total contributions rose 8.5% to RM33.87bil in 2Q26 from RM31.21bil a year earlier.
Voluntary contributions reached RM14.15bil in the first half of 2026, while contributions under the i-Saraan programme grew 15.7% to RM1.33bil.
The number of Malaysian formal-sector members contributing above the statutory rate through i-Topup rose 13.9% year-on-year to nearly 204,450 in 1H26.
